Lakers forward Kyle Kuzma, left, grabs the rebound during a preseason game against Minnesota late last month at Honda Center. He’s one of several rookies who have Lakers fans feeling optimistic about the team’s future. (Photo by Paul Rodriguez, Orange County Register/SCNG)

Bill Oram covers the Los Angeles Lakers for the Southern California News Group. He covered the Utah Jazz for the Salt Lake Tribune. He is the (usually) bearded guy in the background wearing a University of Montana hat.